22#22

21

A man stepped out of a car parked nearby. It was Luke's acquaintance who had previously provided him with a loan.

Passersby referred to him as Roy.

Now that Luke had fallen on hard times, those who once called him a brother were reduced to pleading humbly.

"Roy, why the rush? Allow me to sell these items, and I'll repay you right away."

"Luke, for old times' sake, let's skip the reselling. I've calculated everything. It amounts to a million. You still owe another million. I'll give you four more weeks. Don't say I'm being unfair. I've never accepted goods as payment from anyone else."

Internally, Luke cursed Roy's female relatives.

Outwardly, he spoke as meekly as possible.

"Roy, you're so occupied daily. Don't concern yourself with this trivial matter. In a month, I'll bring you the two million plus interest."

"Luke, you're not agreeing?"

Roy ignited a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled the smoke into Luke's face.